Yet, they are (in it to make a profit), and I have no issue with that. If they start slipping (grading, authentication,etc), there profit will start slipping too. That's what's great about free market. If you think they are cheapening the hobby, you can put your money in coin flips or folders instead. Just make sure to buy their cheapest product so you don't help them make too much money
At the end of the day both are businesses, as long as their quality of work doesn't go down is they need to have label up-charges to keep people employed that know what they're doing then so be it imo..
I did a double take this morning when I saw the article. Instead of Norman Rockwell, my brain thought of "George Lincoln Rockwell." Now, that slab label would have been something to debate. You younger collectors will have to look that Rockwell up.
Isn't that cute? jwitten and baseball21 actually believe there's such a thing as a "free market". So retro, so naïve.
If these are intended more for bulk submitters that's an extra $300 per bulk sub right. I'd say it's a nice little money grab indeed. However, if a business is not innovative it dies a slow death. And while I'm not saying this is a +1 for innovation at least they're trying.
Just me, but I think the special labels are silly. But I'm just one collector and apparently enough collectors like them for NGC to tap into a market. Can't really blame them.
So, enlighten me folks.......I'm a mushroom........what does Norman Rockwell have to do with Ike dollars and Kennedy halfs?
My best guess was that the portraits used on the slabs were Rockwell paintings. But it was just a guess. If that's not what it is, I'd be really curious to know.
OK, I know 'Norm' painted Ikes portrait for the Saturday Evening Post, but Frank Gasparro designed the coin. Anybody know if Frank was handy with a paint brush?